TALE OF THE TAPE

Week 3: Green Bay Packers Vs. Seattle Seahawks

Packers

Seahawks

Quarterback

Winner
It has not been a quick start for Aaron Rodgers. Instead of lighting up the scoreboard like he did last year, Rodgers has looked somewhat ordinary. However, he still reads defenses extremely well, is one of the most accurate passers in the league and is still a championship level quarterback.

Russell Wilson won the quarterback job in training camp and he has a long way to go. However, he has great leadership skills, can find the open receiver and is shockingly poised.

Offense

Winner
The Packers have had some injury problems early in the year and that has slowed the offense. Greg Jennings is the team’s best receiver but he could not play vs. the Bears. James Jones, Jordy Nelson and Donald Driver are more than adequate. Cedric Benson had a solid game against Chicago, but he is not consistent.

The Seahawks don’t have comparable weapons to the Packers, but running back Marshawn Lynch is explosive and dependable. Tight end Anthony McCoy may be unheralded but he knows how to get open.

Defense

The Packers struggled badly on the defensive end last year and head coach Mike McCarthy is determined to make sure that doesn’t happen again. Linebacker Clay Matthews (3 1/2 sacks vs. Chicago) is a game-breaker who can destroy opposing passing games with pressure.

Winner
The Seahawks are an opportunistic defense that relies on its speed and being more prepared than their opponents. That was the case in Week Two against the Cowboys but it will be a much harder task against the explosive Packers.

Special Teams

Winner
The Packers made a game-changing play on special teams when punter Tim Masthay threw a touchdown pass in the second quarter against Chicago. Placekicker Mason Crosby is reliable and has a strong leg.

Winner
Special teams have been a big part of the Seahawks game for years and punter Jon Ryan has explosive leg strength. Leon Washington is a solid return man who can take advantage of any breakdown by the coverage teams.

The Winner Is

WinnerPackers

3 out of 4

The Packers will be playing this game in front of one of the most raucous crowds in the league and that will make life difficult for them. Young Russell Wilson may turn out to be the real deal at quarterback, but the former Wisconsin Badger will get a lesson on how the best quarterback in that state plays the game. Green Bay finds a way in the fourth quarter.